Category: Solo Piano

Hearts As One is a solo piano miniature from Songs Without Words in Miniature, a set of six piano works based on Baxter’s art songs. In its February 2023 review, Textura singled out the piece as finding Baxter “at his lyrical best,” emphasizing the songful character at the heart of the collection.

The piece translates vocal lyricism into a pianistic idiom, allowing the melody to unfold with warmth and clarity. Baxter’s tonal grounding and expressive harmonic color give the music a direct emotional appeal while preserving the polish and concision of a miniature form.

Hearts As One is effective as part of the complete set or as an individual recital piece. It is especially appropriate for pianists seeking contemporary repertoire that is melodic, intimate, and emotionally direct.